Drying module

Abstract

A dryer module for drying filter supports in DNA preparation comprises a receiving member for receiving the filter support and at least one blower member, the blower member being arranged below the receiving member for receiving the filter support so that the filter support is blown on an dried from below. The dryer module also has a heating system for warming the air blown from below against the filter support, the heating system being arranged above the blower member, of which there is at least one. The dryer module is electronically controlled by a control means as a function of the measured temperature of the drying air. The dryer module can be used as a stand-along apparatus or in an automated environment.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. Dryer module for drying a filter support ( 14 ) in the context of DNA preparation, having a heating system ( 5 ) and a blower member ( 1 ), the heating system ( 5 ) being arranged downstream of the blower member ( 1 ) and a filter ( 15 ) arranged in a filter support ( 14 ) being blown on and dried from below, 
       wherein 
       the filters ( 15 ) are arranged suspended in the filter support ( 14 ) and the filter support has spacer sleeves ( 17 ) that are insertable into corresponding centring shafts ( 12 ) in a centring plate ( 11 ) for receiving the filter support ( 14 ), the heating system ( 5 ) comprising heating wires, which extend in parallel over a rectangular cross-section of an air shaft ( 4 ) and which are arranged at right angles to the air flow and upstream of the centring plate ( 11 ), and the dryer module having a crossflow blower as blower member ( 1 ).  
     
     
       2. Dryer module according to claim  1 , wherein the blower member ( 1 ) is driven by an electric motor ( 3 ). 
     
     
       3. Dryer module according to claim  1 , wherein a nozzle ( 6 ) for channeling the air flow is arranged between the air shaft ( 4 ) and the centring member ( 11 ) for the filter support ( 14 ). 
     
     
       4. Dryer module according to claim  1 , wherein the dryer module is arranged in an opening in a bench top ( 7 ). 
     
     
       5. Dryer module according to claim  1 , wherein the centring plate ( 11 ) for receiving the filter support is arranged on supporting members ( 10 ). 
     
     
       6. Dryer module according to claim  2 , wherein the module has a temperature sensor. 
     
     
       7. Dryer module according to claim  6 , wherein the module has an electrical control means for controlling the motor ( 3 ), of which there is at least one, and the heating system ( 5 ), the heating system being controlled as a function of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. 
     
     
       8. Dryer module according to claim  7 , wherein the control means is provided with a delay circuit which, when the dryer module is switched off, causes the blower member ( 1 ), of which there is at least one, to be switched off chronologically after the heating system ( 5 ) is switched off. 
     
     
       9. Use of the dryer module according to claim  1  in an automated environment. 
     
     
       10. Use of the dryer module according to claim  1  as a stand-alone apparatus.